Claud Butler Velox S - worth fixing up?

[dontlookdown]

Visited my dad for the first time in over 6 months last weekend (because Covid). He's 85 and has recently given up cycling to the local shops, reckons his balance isn't up to it anymore.

So we were looking at his bike, which he bought from another old boy locally ca 15 yrs ago. I had never properly looked at it before so was surprised to see that beneath the overall air of neglect, clapped out-ness and the fetching plastic rear basket, there seemed to lurk what must once have been quite a nice bike. Tidy looking steel frame, shortish chainstays, centre pull brakes, decent hubs and even a genuine Campagnolo downtube shift lever (but alas a modern Shimano rear mech).

I have been toying with the idea of building myself a 'classic' style modern steel framed bike, but parked it due to unavailability of the frame I wanted, and also cost/availability of other components.

Here is a potentially classic classic steel bike that I could do up as a project instead. So a couple if questions to those more knowledgeable than myself:

1) is the bike worth spending time and money on? I enjoy fiddling with my bikes but would be nice if the finished item had at least some market value.

2) I would like to keep the classic look but I also want to be usable - decent number and range of gears, decent brakes etc. How limited would I be in terms of what can be done with this frame - rear fork spacing, clearance etc?

3) How much of a pain is getting bits that fit an old frame like this - obsolete BB, headsets etc. Are they available new or is it a case of searching for SH stuff?

Advice or experiences from anyone who has done something similar much appreciated

Here's the beast in question:

[lufbramatt]

Google suggests its made from Reynolds 531 so it's probably a half decent frame and obviously has sentimental value. I think it would look really smart with the mudguards, panniers etc. stripped off, a slimmer leather saddle and drop bars.

Probably just uses a normal english threaded bottom bracket so that shouldn't be an issue.

[Barchettaman]

Decent enough frame. Does it fit you? That would be the first question.

Secondly: what do want to do? Shortish rides and tours on flat terrain? Lube, repack bearings, replace brake blocks and tyres and ride as is.

Best of luck.

[David_M]

I fixed up one very similar in 2002, it is quite satisfying generally but there are some problem bits, here's a few observations:

Things that are standard/readily available:

• Bottom brackets
• Headsets
• Derailleurs (on the basis that you use friction shifting - if you want indexed downtube shifters it gets harder to find)
• Brake levers - tektro made some nice levers and definitely get modern ones where the cable doesn't exit at the top as it is both neater and better mechanical advantage

Things that are more problematic

• Wheels - it is probably on 27" not 700c and with narrower axle spacing at the back - not insurmountable but creates further issues if you want to respace or switch to 700c
• Tyres - see above - still available but much more limited/basic selection
• Brake callipers - this is one thing that probably improved in the last 20 years - used to be very hard to get long reach calipers and this may be better now
• There are generally fewer options / more expensive choices for things like quill stems but they are out there

Edited to add - I hadn't paid enough attention to the photo - those bars/levers are not what was on there originally and I assume that you want to replace with drop bars and levers?

Edited by David_M on Tuesday 18th May 12:25

[dontlookdown]

Barchettaman said:

Decent enough frame. Does it fit you? That would be the first question.

Secondly: what do want to do? Shortish rides and tours on flat terrain? Lube, repack bearings, replace brake blocks and tyres and ride as is.

Best of luck.

Yes it fits me fine. But I live at the top of a steep hill, so I do need a decent gear range or I just won't use it. It's got an old five speed freewheel at the moment which I guess could be troublesome to upgrade because of the wheels and frame spacing?

[dontlookdown]

David_M said:

I fixed up one very similar in 2002, it is quite satisfying generally but there are some problem bits, here's a few observations:

Things that are standard/readily available:

• Bottom brackets
• Headsets
• Derailleurs (on the basis that you use friction shifting - if you want indexed downtube shifters it gets harder to find)
• Brake levers - tektro made some nice levers and definitely get modern ones where the cable doesn't exit at the top as it is both neater and better mechanical advantage

Things that are more problematic

• Wheels - it is probably on 27" not 700c and with narrower axle spacing at the back - not insurmountable but creates further issues if you want to respace or switch to 700c
• Tyres - see above - still available but much more limited/basic selection
• Brake callipers - this is one thing that probably improved in the last 20 years - used to be very hard to get long reach calipers and this may be better now
• There are generally fewer options / more expensive choices for things like quill stems but they are out there

Edited to add - I hadn't paid enough attention to the photo - those bars/levers are not what was on there originally and I assume that you want to replace with drop bars and levers?

Edited by David_M on Tuesday 18th May 12:25

Thanks that's helpful. Wheels may end up being the biggest issue I think, especially as I could do with a few more gears on the back.

[Barchettaman]

You’ll be able to cold set the rear drop out spacing to 126mm and use a 7-speed freehub. If it’s 5-Speed then it’s probably 120mm.

A cheap way of getting the parts would be to find, say, a 7-speed Carrera or Viking budget road bike for sale locally and swap everything over.

Some come with 14-28 cassette (or freewheel) and a 50/34 crankset which would be ideal gearing.

Tektro make really good long drop dual pivot brakes.



You’ll also need a clamp on cable stop if you’re using modern STI shifters:

Edited by Barchettaman on Tuesday 18th May 21:15

Edited by Barchettaman on Tuesday 18th May 21:16

[defblade]

On topic: as in that last picture, sjscycles may be a very helpful website for you... they stock out of fashion stuff that the big retailers simply don't.


A bit off topic: if he'd like to keep riding, has your dad considered a trike? An old friend (in both senses) swears by his - no balance required (although somewhat different handling on corners, especially at speed), and you can fit incredibly low gears and just keep grinding at tiny mph as it's not falling over. I guess these days, fitting a motor might make sense, too.

[dontlookdown]

defblade said:

On topic: as in that last picture, sjscycles may be a very helpful website for you... they stock out of fashion stuff that the big retailers simply don't.


A bit off topic: if he'd like to keep riding, has your dad considered a trike? An old friend (in both senses) swears by his - no balance required (although somewhat different handling on corners, especially at speed), and you can fit incredibly low gears and just keep grinding at tiny mph as it's not falling over. I guess these days, fitting a motor might make sense, too.

Thanks. I will suggest a trike, he may go for it as he likes to think he is a bit of an eccentric free-thinker;)